Thermodynamic machine



Dec. 6, 1949 P. KOLLSMAN 2,490,067

THERMODYNAMIC MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1945 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR. Q4414. AousMA/v,

Dec. 6, 1949 P. KOLLSMAN 2,490,067

THERMODYNAMIC MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 4114 KOLLsAMN,

ATTOENEK Patented Dec. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE THERMODYNAMIC MACHINE Paul Kollsman, New York, N. Y.

Application August 27, 1945, Serial No. 612,957

13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a thermodynamic machine for effecting cooling by passing air or gas through a compression-expansion cycle with absorption of the heat of compression.

One object of the invention is the provision of a thermodynamic machine in which a gas is rotated while passing in a generally U-shaped path to effect compression of the gas adjacent to the bight of the U with absorption of the heat of compression and in which the expanded gas is discharged from the machine.

Another object of the invention is a thermodynamic machine in which a gas is rotated at high velocity while moving in a substantially U-shaped path to effect compression of the gas toward the bight of the U, with absorption of the heat of compression, and with the flow of gas through the passage effected by the difference in the lengths of the legs of the path.

Another Object of the invention is a thermodynamic machine in which air is rotated in a U- shaped passage to effect compression toward the bight of the U, with absorption of the heat of compression, and with the collected, expanded air delivered to a diffuser passage where the conversion of its rotational energy assists the flow through the U-shaped passage.

Qther objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the specification and appended draw ing illustrating certain preferred embodiments in whi h:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in section and partly elevation, of a thermodynamic machine ac.- cording to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view on the line It's-II, of Figure l with parts shown on other sec: tions and in elevation.

Figure 8 is a partial sectional View on line III-:- III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a View partly in section and partly in elevation of a modified form of the elevation.

Figure is an end elevational view with portions broken away to show internal parts.

so ca ng I4- 5 l and 8 are mounted a plurality of fins I2 and i3,

circumferentially spaced about the rotor. At the exterior of the fins I2 and I3 is a casing III rigidly secured thereto and rotating therewith and With the rotor sections 1 and 8. The fins I2 and I3 divide the space between the outer rotor casing I4 and the inner rotor sections 7 and 8 into a plurality of generally U-shaped chambers having substantially radially extending legs I5 and I6 and axially extending bights H. An air inlet to the chamber le s I5 is indicated at I8 at the axis of the machine.

Within the casing I is disposed a sprayer I9 ex: tending along a side and the periphery of the rotary casing I4 and serving to spray cooling wa go ter upon the surface of the casing to absorb the heat of compression of the air. The casing I4 is of relatively thin section and pieferably formed of a material effecting heat transfer with high eff iency.

The rotor fins I3 have portions 2I at the end of chamber leg I6 serving to direct the cooled and expanded air into a diffuser passage 22 formed by parallel annular walls of the rotor, shown as integral with the section 8 and the From diffuser passage 22 the air passes to a collector ring 23 and thence to a dis,- charge outlet 24. Heat insulation 25 is indicated on the walls of the collector ring 23 and the discharge outlet 24 to maintain the low temperature of the delivered air.

In the operation of the machine the shaft 3 is rotated from an external source of power and cooling water supplied to the sprayer I9 and thence into contact with the heat exchange walls of the casing I4. A flow of gas is effected through 0 the U shaped chambers or passages in the rotor from the inlet I8 through chamber leg I5, bight II, chamber leg I3 to the air discharge. This flow is maintained by the difference in lengths Figure 6 is a partial sectional View on the line of the legs l5 and I and the difference in the VI -VI of Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a detail sectional view on the line VII-41H of Figure 4.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the centrifugal force on the columns of air in these legs. This flow of air is also assisted by the action of the diffuser 22 in which the rotational energy of the air delivered to the diffuser is con- F-igu-res 1, 2, and 3, there is provided an outer verted to pressure energy as the air moves to a casing I carrying a stationary internal cylindrical portion 2 within which is rotationally mounted a shaft 3 on bearings 4 and 5. Upon the inner end of the shaft 3 is mounted a rotor generally eater di r tati n h n s the a mov s a n th chambe le I 5 t s pres ess lr compressed toward the bight I'I due to the action of centrifugal force on the air columns and the indicated at 6 which is comprised of twov sections heat of compression of the air is absorbed by the it cooling water sprayed from the sprayer l9. As the gas returns toward the axis of the machine through the chamber leg I! it will be progressively expanded and cooled so that the air delivered to the collector ring will be at a considerably lower temperature than at the intake 13.

Since the air in chamber leg is is at a lower temperature and density than the air in the chamber leg I5, the difference in the lengths of the chamber legs must be such so that combined with the force on the air in the diffuser 22 the desired movement through the U-shaped passages or chambers is secured at the desired air delivery temperature.

In the modification of the invention illustrated in Figures 4 through '7, there is provided a heat exchanger for further lowering the temperature of the delivered air. In this machine there is shown a casing 3| in which is rotationally mounted a shaft 32 in bearings 33 and 34. Upon the shaft 32 is mounted a rotor, generally indicated at 35, comprising three internal sections 36, 31, and 38 joined together in spaced relations to provide insulating spaces 39 and ll therebetween, space 41 being provided with a solid insulating seal 42 to prevent air passage therethrough. The rotor sections are provided with fins 43, 44, and 45 spaced circumferentially about the rotor. Connected to the outside portions of the fins 43, A l, and 45 is a rotary casing 46, with the fins dividing the space between the casing 46 and the interior sections of the rotor into a plurality of substantially U- shaped chambers. having substantially radially extending legs '41 and 58 and connecting loights 49.

Within the rotor section 31 there are provided a plurality of additional chambers communica- 4 sorbed by the cooling water. Air passing inwardly through the legs 48 is collected as refrigerated air and that portion passing through the legs 52 is vented to the atmosphere.

As the expanding air in the chamber or passage legs 52 is cooled it absorbs heat from the righthand radial legs of the liquid in the closed passages 58. The columns of liquid in these legs have a greater density than in the opposite legs and due to the action of centrifugal force a circulation of the liquid is effected in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4. The

' liquid in the axially extending legs of the closed passages 58 is in counter-flow, heat exchange relation with the compressed air within the bights 49 and serves to lower its temperature below the normal temperature obtained from the cooling water spray. Thus the air passing through the passage 48 will begin its expansion at an in-- itially lower temperature with a consequent delivery of cooler air to the collector. With this heat exchange arrangement the temperature of the delivered air will be lowered but at the expense of the volume delivered since a portion of the air passing through the machine is exhausted to the atmosphere from the diffuser passage 53. The relative sizes of the chamber legs will determine the proportions of the air delivered and diverted and the temperature of the These U-shaped chambers 5;

ting with the chamber bights t9 and disposed 1- '1 between fins or walls 5| in the rotor section. These chambers being generally 'L-shaped, as shown, with radially extending legs '52 from which axially and radially extending portions lead to a diffuser passage 53 formed between parallel walls on the rotor section and from which the air vents to the atmosphere. The radial chamber legs 48 communicate with a diffuser passage 54 from which the refrigerated air is delivered to a collector ring 55 having an outlet 56.

Within the casing 3| there is provided a sprayer 5'! from which cooling water is sprayed upon the surfaces of the casing 46. Circumferentially spaced within the rotor section 3! =3 are a plurality o osed passageways 55 55 the legs of said passage being of different lengths,

taining water or other liquid to circulate as a heat transfer medium. The rotor fins :33 have axially extending portions 59 curved in the direction of rotation of the rotor to serve as scoops delivered air.

While the legs of the passages or chambersare referred to herein and in the appended claims as being radial, it will be understood that they may have any direction from the axis toward the periphery having a radial component.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto, as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing a substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U extending substantially radially of the axiswith the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight by the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the-heat of compression of the compressed gas,

a gas inlet adjacent to the longer passage leg, a gas outlet adjacent to the shorter passage leg, flow of gas through passage being maintained by the difference in centrifugal force on the diffor directing air within the chamber legs il. 60 ferent lengths of the gas columns in the legs.

The air inlet is through the opening 8! in the hub on the casing 3i.

In the operation of the machine of Figures 4 ternal power source and cooling water is applied to the casing 45 from the sprayer 57. Air passes from the inlet at 6! through chamber or passage legs il, bights 44, legs 48 and 52, to the difthrough '7 the shaft 32 is rotated from an exfusers 54 and 53, respectively. This flow of air 2. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing a substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U extending substantially radially of the axis and with the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed in the first leg of said passage leading toward the bight by the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, a gas inlet adjacent to the end of the second leg of the passage, and a diffuser adjacent to the end of the second leg, said diffuser including a further U-shaped compressed and its heat of com ression is ab- 7 passage por ion for cha g the direction of the greater cooled gas irom a substantially radial inward direction to a substantially radial outward direction, conversion of the rotational energy of the trifugal force on the air columns in the legs, the

legs of said passage being of unequal length, an air inlet for the end of the longer passage leg, and an outlet for refrigerated air from the shorter passage leg.

4. In a thermodynamic machine, a-rotor, means providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced gas passages about said rotor with the legs of the passages extending substantially radially of the rotor and with their bights adjacent to the periphery of the rotor, the gas in said passages being progressively compressed toward the bights, said legs being of unequal length to establish a gas fiow through the passages, and means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas whereby refrigerated gas will be delivered at the ends of the shorter passage legs.

5. In a thermodynamic machine, a rotor, means providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced gas passages about said rotor with the legs of the passages extending substantially radially of the rotor and with their bights adjacent to the periphery of the rotor, the gas in said passages being progressively compressed toward the bights, said legs being of unequal length to establish a gas flow through the passages, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas whereby refrigerated gas will be delivered at the ends of the shorter passage legs, and a diffuser passage into which said refrigerated gas is delivered for conversion of its rotational energy to assist gas flow through the passages.

6. In a thermodynamic machine, a rotor, means providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced gas passages about said rotor with the legs of the passages extending substantially radially of the rotor and with their bights adjacent to the periphery of the rotor, the gas in said passages being progressively compressed toward the bights, said legs being of unequal length to establish a gas flow through the passages, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas whereby refrigerated gas will be delivered at the ends of the shorter passage legs, and means for diverting a portion of the refrigerated gas to further lower the temperature of the compressed gas 7. In a thermodynamic machine, a rotor, means providing a plurality of circumferentially spaced gas passages about said rotor with the legs of the passages extending substantially radially of the rotor and with their bights adjacent to the periphery of the rotor, the gas in said passages being progressively compressed toward the bights, said legs being of unequal length to establish a gas flow through the passages, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas whereby refrigerated gas will be delivered at the ends of the shorter passage legs, and a heat exchanger in heat transfer relation with said compressed gas and means for expanding a portion of said compressed gas tocqol said exchanger to cool the compressed gas to further lower the-temperature of the delivered refriger ated gas,

8. In .a thermodynamic machine, means pro-f viding the rotary axis, means providing a plurrality-of gas passages having legs extending substantially radially of said axis with a connecting bight portion remote from the axis, one of said legs being of greater length than two other of said legs, a gas inlet for the end of the longer leg, the gas in said bight being compressed by the action of centrifugal force on the columns of gas .in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of com,- pression of the compressed gas, gas outlets adiacent to the ends of the shorter legs, means. for collecting the gas from one of said shorter legs, and means for cooling the compressed gas by the expansion of the gas in the other of said shorter le s.

9. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing the rotary axis, means providing a plurality of gas passages having legs extendingsubstantially radially of said axis and with a connecting bight portion remote from the axis, one of said legs being of greater length than two other of said legs, a gas inlet for the end of the longer leg, the gas in said bight being compressed by the action of centrifugal force on the columns of gas in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, gas outlets adjacent to the ends of the shorter legs, means for collecting the gas from one of said shorter legs, a liquid in heat exchange relation with the gas expanding in the other of said shorter legs, and means for circulating said liquid in counter:

' flow heat exchange relation with the compressed gas to effect cooling thereof.

10. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing the rotary axis, means providing a plurality of gas passages having legs extending substantially radially of said axis, and with a connecting bight portion remote from the axis, one of said legs being of greater length than two other of said legs, a gas inlet for the end of the longer leg, the gas in said bight being compressed by the action of centrifugal force on the columns of gas in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, gas outlets adjacent to the ends of the shorter legs, means for collecting the gas from one of said shorter legs, a liquid in heat exchange relation with the gas expanding in the other of said shorter legs, and a closed path for said liquid having radial components and extending in heat exchange relation with the bight passage, circulation of the liquid to cool the compressed gas being effected by the action of centrifugal force on its different density portions.

11. In a thermodynamic machine, means providing the rotary axis, means providing a plurality of gas passages having legs extending substantially radially of said axis and with a connecting bight portion remote from the axis, one of said legs being of greater length than two other of said legs, a gas inlet for the end of the longer leg, the gas in said bight being compressed by the action of centrifugal force on the columns of gas in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, gas outlets adjacent to the ends of the shorter legs, means for collecting the gas from one of said shorter legs, a liquid in heat exchange relation with the gas expanding in the other of said shorter legs, and a closed path for said liquid having radial components and extending in heat exchange relation with the bight passage, circulation of the liquid to cool the compressed gas being effected by the action of centrifugal force on its different density portions, the liquid movement being in counter-flow relation with the movement of gas through the passages effected by the action of centrifugal force on the different length gas columns in the passage legs.

12. In a thermodynamic machine, means establishing substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the U disposed substantially radially of the axis and the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, said legs being of different lengths, a gas inlet adjacent to the end of longer leg, a gas outlet adjacent to the end of shorter leg and a blade at the end of said longer passage leg for scooping gas into the passage.

' 13. In a thermodynamic machine, means establishing a substantially U-shaped passage for gas flow, means for rotating said first mentioned means about an axis with the legs of the Udisposed substantially radially of the axis and with the bight remote therefrom, the gas in said passage being progressively compressed toward the bight under the action of centrifugal force on the gas columns in the legs, means for absorbing the heat of compression of the compressed gas, said legs being of different lengths, a gas inlet adjacent to the end of longer leg, a gas outlet adjacent to the end of the shorter leg and a blade at the end of said longer passage leg for scooping gas into the passage, said outlet comprising a diffuser passage in which the rotational energy of delivered gas is converted to assist the gas now produced by said blade and unequal passage leg lengths.

PAUL KOLLSMAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,393,338 Roebuck Jan. 22, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 633,985 Germany June 1, 1937 

